Improvement in power-presses



B. e. MARTIN.

POWER-PRESS.

Patented May 30,1876.

6. fink-i "UNITED STATES BENJAMIN G. MARTIN, OF NEW YORK, ASSIGNOI t TO HENRY OURTISS, OF

BROOKLYN, N. Y. t

IMPROVEMENT IN "PQWER-PRESSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 178,174, dated May 30, 1876; application filed May 20, 1876. I

To all whom it may concern: 7

' New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Power-Press, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 represents a sectional side view. of my press. Fig. 2 is an end view'of the same.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in combining with the follower of a press a cylinder containing two pistons, the rods of which extend in opposite directions, and are connected to levers which connect with the follower, so that by admitting steam, air, or other fluid or liquid between the two pistons the follower is forced up against the head-block with great power, and, by allowing the steam or other fluid from the cylinder to exhaust, the follower sinks down, and thereby a press is obtained which can be operated very rapidly and economically, and with great power.

In the drawing, the letter A designates a steam-cylinder, which, in the example shown, is in a vertical position, but which may also be placed in a horizontal position without departing from my invention. Said cylinder is supported by a platform, 1?, which is fastened on the frame R of the head-block. This cylinder contains two pistons, B B, the rods 0 O of which extend in opposite directions. On the rod 0 is secured a cross-head, D, which may be made to move in suitable guides, or a double piston-rod may be employed, as shown, in which case the gui .es can be dispensed with.

From the cross-head D extend four rods, E, to the outer ends of levers or workingbeams F, which swing on rook-shafts G, the bearings of which are in the frame It. The inner ends of said levers connect, by rods or links H, with the rod 0 of the lower piston B, so that when steam is admitted between the two pistons the levers F are turned in one and the same direction by both pistons. In the sides of said levers, between their gudgeons or rock-shafts and their outer ends, are secured pivots a a, from which extend rods I, through the head-block J, to the follower K, the head-block being firmly secured in the frame R, while the follower, when depressed, fits into a well in the bed-plate of the machine, so that a bale of cotton or other material can be readily pushed or rolled on or away from the same. By means of the rods I the follower is supported at or near its four corners, so that the same is securely retained in position parallel to the head-block. The inner ends of the lever F may be made in the form of segments provided with cogs, which engage with corresponding cogs on the sides of the lower piston-rod U, and in this case the links H may be dispensed with.

When the follower is down the two pistons B B are close together in the middle of the cylinder A. The material to be compressed is then placed on the follower, and, by admitting steam between the two pistons, the follower is caused to move up toward the headblock, and the material previously placed on the same is compressed with considerable power. When this object has been accomplished, the steam is shut off from the cylinder A, and, by opening the exhaust-port, the follower is allowed to sink down by its own weight, assisted by the superincum bent weight of the compressed material, so that this material can be readily removed and replaced by fresh material to be compressed.

By this arrangement the operation of compressing cotton, hay, or other materials can be accomplished with great rapidity, and with economy in steam and labor.

It must be remarked that compressed air or water under pressure, or any other suitable liquid or fluid, may be substituted for steam in the operation of my press.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of a cylinder containing two pistons with the follower of a press, the rods of said pistons being made to extend in opposite directions, and being connected to levers or working-beams, which connect with the follower, substantially in the manner herein shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of May, 1876.

B. e. MARTIN. p s.] 

